Propecia

[Robin.]

Ok, so i got a perscription for Propecia. But apparantly my crap inssurance doesn't cover it so i will apparently have to pay 75$ for 30 tablets!!! i can't pay 75$ a month on that right now! Apparently there is a generic finasteride, but it doesn't come in the 1mg form... I talked to the pharmacist and said the pills were small and would have to be cut into 5ths... Apparently 200 tablets of generic finasteride go for 75$! 

I don't know that my doctor will perscribe me finasteride in that form, so what should I do if he won't?
I guess what I could do is way the pills, crush them and way the powder. But then i would need an accurate measuring device, and I dont know how easy it will be to find one that weighs to a 10th of a gram, which would be needed.

[Suzy]

Robin,

At the risk of running into dosage info problems here........

You are right, Propecia aka Finasteride is prescribed in two strengths.  The reason your insurance will not cover it is that the low dosage is only ever prescribed for hair loss, which makes it cosmetic.  The higher strength is prescribed for prostate problems.  My doctor wrote mine up as BPH.  That way, insurance does cover it, and at the higher dosage.  It is true, you can cut them up and that makes them very economical.  I know it is strange because anything over 1 mg is pretty much eliminated by the body.

Kristi

[Robin.]

I talked to my doctor about it and he said it would be bad practice to perscribe the 5mg finasteride.

So I did a little research and found out that there is actually a generic form of propecia, called Finpecia.
Apparently my pharmacy doesn't carry it and that is likely because it may not be approved in the U.S.
Are there any good online pharmacies that I could trust to use?

[Flan]

It's a bootleg/clone med

Finpecia is nothing but a trade name of an Indian copy of Propecia – the first oral drug approved for the treatment of hair loss in men.

Finpecia is a product of Cipla, India.

As far as where to obtain it, you'll have to scout it out yourself (because of the questionable legality of internet online pharmacies)

masters marketing in the uk is a good place (have your doctor fax or phone the rx)

[Chrissty]

You should not need to pay more than $13 a month for online Finepecia from CIPLA

Chrissty

[Robin.]

You should not need to pay more than $13 a month for online Finepecia from CIPLA

Chrissty

Would that imply you use it? if so does it work? And 13$ a mounth for how much?

[Autumn]

I would be horribly irresponsible to tell you to just buy it online like tens of thousands of men do, since it's horribly overpriced and no insurance covers it. Google can answer anything, get used to it if you plan to transition.

[Meshi]

at a reputable online pharmacy that ive never had a problem with. Only reason i ask is that i am still having hair loss issues. ( still getting electrolysis done and laser for hair removal).  I was told spironolactone was the drug of choice but now im hearing it is Fina that really will lower the DHT levels enough to decrease the body hair and kind of works along to help with estrodial.  Anyway, here is what i found:
Finpecia is made in India. Even though it contains the exact same chemical as Propecia its cost is significantly less than that of Propecia.

Cipla is allowed by Indian patent law to make drugs that are patented by other companies internationally as the law protects only the processes by which drugs are made, and not the drugs themselves.

Under current Indian law, which recognizes patents on ways to make drugs but not the drugs themselves. This means Indian companies can make drugs under patent in the West, provided they use a process that is different from the original.

Manufacturers are able to produce and sell medicines here at a tiny fraction of the prices charged in the United States. In some cases, though, the generic makers have been blocked from selling their wares in other developing countries that have Western-style patent laws



^dosages

[Tammy Hope]

I always get confused about these things. this Propecia (and thus the fina-stuff) is, or acts like, an anti-androgen?

It is prescribed in low doses for hair loss and high doses for prostate issues, yes?

I'm not asking for anyone to publicly state anything on this thread about the doses or make any recommendations but if some kind soul were to PM me i would definitely enjoy expanding my knowledge of the subject...

[Flan]

finasteride is not a general antiandrogen, it inhibits type II 5-alpha reductase, or, stops dht from being made

the estrogen like effects (possibility of sexual side effects and breast growth) are not from the drug, but from what free estrogen the adrenal makes being allowed to roam free and work its magic

[Meshi]

Not getting into dosages, but i think the higher is for prostate and the lower amount is for the male pattern baldness and to limit body hair growthl  I was just wondering why drs in my area all recommend the spironolactone and not the fina?  if it works better for body hair loss..

[Tammy Hope]

finasteride is not a general antiandrogen, it inhibits type II 5-alpha reductase, or, stops dht from being made

the estrogen like effects (possibility of sexual side effects and breast growth) are not from the drug, but from what free estrogen the adrenal makes being allowed to roam free and work its magic

ok...I think I understand. Stopping (reversing) my thinning scalp hair and possible breast growth? with potential ED difficulties?

AND decrease in body hair too? REALLY?

Sounds appealing. VERY appealing if all that is true.

[Chrissty]

Just to clarify ...

Finasteride is the Drug ...

Propecia is 1% Finasteride, and Finepecia is the Gereric version made in India.
The 1% tablets are only restricted to prescription in a few parts of the world including the UK. The drug can be purchased to treat hairloss without prescription in the US. It normally takes several months before effects are visible.

Proscar is 5% Finasteride, and Fincar is the generic. This is normally for treatment of and enlarged prostrate. At this dose level all countries require medical supervision

Dutasteride/Avodart/Dutas is also prescribed sometimes, but acts a lot more like Spiro in it's anti-androgenic effects, and stays in the body longer....again medical supervision is required.

None of these drugs should be used by, or exposed to, women who are considering pregnancy due to foetal development effects.